Meet the tastemakers

All the nominees vying for 2025 CultureMap Dallas Tastemaker Awards

Raise a glass to the Dallas Tastemakers on May 1.

Photo by Ashley Gongora

The time has come to celebrate all the people and places who make Dallas such an exciting city to dine in. The CultureMap Tastemaker Awards are back, and we can now reveal the 2025 nominees.

We’ve asked leaders of the city's culinary community to tell us which chefs, restaurants, bars, and more have set the standard in dining for the past year. Our judging panel will pick the winners in eight of the categories, including two exciting new "wildcard" contests: Best Coffee Shop and Best Eatertainment. CultureMap readers will pick the winner of Best New Restaurant in a head-to-head, bracket-style tournament that's sure to get heated.

We’ll celebrate the nominees and reveal the winners at our awards ceremony and signature tasting event on Thursday, May 1 at the new Astoria Event Venue.

More than a dozen of this year’s finalists will be serving bites, and our sponsors will supply all of the drinks necessary to keep the party going. Then we’ll reveal the winners in our short and sweet awards ceremony.

A limited number of Early Bird tickets are on sale now at discounted rates of $60 for general admission and $99 for VIP (includes early access to the event and a dedicated bar). Prices will go up soon, and tickets will sell out. Act fast - you don’t want to miss out.

We’ll dive more deeply into the nominees in a special editorial series that celebrates their accomplishments. But first, a round of applause for all of this year's finalists:

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR

Cafe Momentum
El Carlos Elegante
Mirador
Mister Charles
Rye
Starship Bagel
Stillwell's
Tatsu
Written By the Seasons
Zavala's Barbecue

CHEF OF THE YEAR

Jeff Bekevac, Goodwin's
Michelle Carpenter, Restaurant Beatrice
Gabriel DeLeon, Mi Dia From Scratch
Mansour Gorji, Gorji
Jeffery Hobbs, Slow Bone
Victor Hugo, Bucket & Rope
Habip Kargin, Selda
Dennis Kelly & Melody Bishop, Written by the Seasons
Minji Kim, JOA Grill
Masayuki Otaka, Mabo

RISING STAR CHEF OF THE YEAR

Parker Cantera, Resident Taqueria
Ricardo Viesca Gutierrez, Sheraton Dallas
Mario Hernandez, Nuri
Cristina Lara, El Carlos Elegante
Rhonda McCullar, Uchiba
Roman Murphy, Perch Bistro
Jonathan Myrick, Cane Rosso
Anais Paniagua and Iris Rojas, Doña Maria
Fernando Ramirez, Thirsty Lion
Jake Yoon, Naminohana

PASTRY CHEF OF THE YEAR

Meriel Bautista, Cafe Momentum
Matt Bresnan, Bresnan Bread and Pastry
Chelsea Gannon, Ruby Baking Co.
Macarena Gomez, LA 57
Bryan Motta, Breadhaus
Dyan Ng, Le Passage
Leen Kim Nunn, Omni Frisco
Sara Saginaw, Swirled Peace
Ryan Stipp, PGA Frisco
Golda Sumpon, Ollio Patisserie

NEIGHBORHOOD RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR

Cafe Madrid
Cedar & Vine
Dee's Table Burgers & More
Loro
Mayor's House By Selda
Miss Pasta
The Porch
San Martin Bakery
Wabi House
Wagamama

BAR OF THE YEAR

Bar Sardine
Catbird
Clifton Club
Colombian Country Club
Ginger's
Milo Butterfingers
Patrick Kennedy's Irish Pub
Scarlet Lounge
Saint Valentine
Valle Lounge

BEST NEW RESTAURANT

Be Home Soon
Bucket & Rope
Catch
Claremont Bar & Grill
Elephant Indian Bar & Grill
Even Coast
Feng Shui
Goldie's
Goodwin's
Jack & Harry's
Kati Roll
La Rue Doughnuts
Mabo
Nikki Greek Bistro
Nuri
Seager & Sons

BEST EATERTAINMENT

Chicken N Pickle
Eataly
Happiest Hour
Kanpai Coffee & Beer Garden
Katy Trail Icehouse
Komodo
Punch Bowl Social
Scout
Suburban Yacht Club
Truckyard

BEST COFFEE SHOP

Arwa Coffee
Common Good
Civil Pour
Hola Coffee
Kanpai Coffee & Beer Garden
Killer Joe
Merit Coffee
Noble Coyote Coffee Roasters
Well Grounded Coffee
White Rhino

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The CultureMap Tastemaker Awards ceremony is sponsored in Dallas by The Yuengling Company, Brioche Gourmet, Still Austin Whiskey, Whataburger, PicMe Events, and more to be announced. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Harvest Project Food Rescue.

chefs nominees restaurants tastemaker awards

Brewery closure

Dallas Design District brewery Texas Ale Project taps out after 12 years

Facebook/Texas Ale Project

Texas Ale Project attracted crowds to its patio for events, including recent World Cup watch parties.

A pioneering Dallas brewery is calling it quits: Texas Ale Project, the craft brewery at 1001 N. Riverfront Blvd. in the Design District, announced it will close after more than a decade in business.

The brewery shared the news in a Facebook post, and said its taproom will serve its final customers on Sunday, August 9.

"After more than a decade of brewing beer, building community, and creating memories, we have decided to close Texas Ale Project," the closure post said, without giving specific reasons why.

The brewery said private events will continue to be hosted at the property through a separate entity, with event inquiries still being accepted.

Texas Ale Project, or "T.A.P.," opened in 2014 as a family venture founded by husband-and-wife team Brent Thompson and Kat Stevens, who began brewing beer together in 2003. At the time, the brewery described itself as the first Dallas brewery built from the ground up since Prohibition, constructing a new facility in the Design District rather than converting an existing building.

Its original lineup included Fire Ant Funeral Amber Ale, Naked Truth American Wheat, Somethin' Shady Porter, and 50 FT Jackrabbit IPA. The brewery quickly became part of the Design District's growing craft beer scene that included breweries such as Community Beer Co., Peticolas Brewing Co., and Noble Rey Brewing Co.

100 Million Angels Singing is Texas Ale Project's popular Double IPA.Facebook/Texas Ale Project

The brewery hosted regular events on its dog-friendly patio and beer garden, including recent FIFA World Cup watch parties.

A nomination for Brewery of the Year in the 2023 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards heralded it as a hot spot, saying, "Veteran- and family-owned and operated craft brewery project in the Design District is a fun hangout with a beer garden, trivia nights, sports watching, parties, and food trucks."

In its farewell message, Texas Ale Project reflected on its original mission.

"Since opening our doors in 2014, our mission has always been about more than beer. It has been about bringing people together and building enjoyment," the owners say. "What started as a dream became a gathering place where friendships were formed, milestones were celebrated, ideas were shared, and countless pints were raised among family, neighbors, and strangers who quickly became friends."

The brewery thanked customers, distributors, retailers, vendors, musicians, food trucks, and employees for their support over the past 12 years.

"We are especially thankful for the friendships and connections we've made along the way," the owners say. "While this chapter is coming to an end, we’re embarking on new ones, and the memories we've created together will last far beyond our final pour. We look back in awe of the support we had and with sincere appreciation for everyone who helped make Texas Ale Project what it became."

Fans took to the comments to share memories of parties and gatherings at the brewery, along with laments for their favorite beer and requests for recipes.

Due to an outpouring of support after their original announcement, in fact, the owners moved closing day from Saturday to Sunday. Taproom hours in the final days will be 1-9 pm Wednesday-Thursday, 1-1- pm Friday, 12-10 pm Saturday, and 1-8 pm Sunday.

They invite fans to stop by to raise one last pint.

"Please gather your friends and come see us this weekend," they say. "Have a beer, fill a growler, grab a 6 pack and a t-shirt for the memories."

brewery beer craft beer design district closure

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Brewery closure

Dallas Design District brewery Texas Ale Project taps out after 12 years